Thursday, November 10, 2005

The Future of the Dodgers

Kevin Modesti at the Pasadena Star-Newssuggests that perhaps the string of personnel moves since Frank McCourt took over ownership of the team is part of an effort to begin marketing the team as "lovable losers" like the Cubs or Red Sox.

Meanwhile, T.J. Simers over at the Timeswonders if maybe the reason why Kim Ng has emerged as the frontrunner for the vacant GM position is simply because she's the only person who wants the job.

In addition to former Rangers GM John Hart, it looks like the Dodgers have been talking with Ned Colletti, the Assistant GM for the Giants for the job.

Of course, I have no idea how their interviews went, or much about what their approach to the job would be. But it's worth noting that if the Dodgers do go with Ng, making her the first woman and the first Asian-American to be the General Manager of a ballclub, this would not be a mere affirmative action hiring. In fact, it would be seen as a snub if she weren't the one hired. She's the in-house promotion, she's got a qualified resume, and from what I've heard, she's got very good business and personal qualities. Plus, of course, the Dodgers would get the good P.R. from hiring a woman.

Unless one of the other candidates utterly wows them, about the only reason I could see for them not hiring her would be if the ownership feels she's somehow tainted by her association with the two previous GMs. If that were the case, though, she'd probably be canned by now, too.

I would really like to see the Dodgers become winners again, and some stability in the management would be a good way to start.

More thoughts:Why is Hershiser being bandied about as a front-office guy instead of as a pitching coach?What are the chances of bringing in Kirk Gibson as, say, the hitting instructor?Please don't tell me that that clown Bobby Valentine is going to be the new field manager.